Esther unhitched the pony and trap Matthew had borrowed for her from Tom Willoughby and climbed up, slapping the reins so that the pony turned homeward. The rest of the mourners followed Esther back through the town and along the coast road towards the farm.

The spread she had prepared did Sam Brumby proud, though she was a little doubtful as to whether he would really have approved of all the fuss. The atmosphere amongst those present was a little strained. There was no common ground between them for easy conversation, though Esther was painfully aware that the squire and his other two tenants gravitated towards each other and sat together talking quietly as they ate. Esther saw Mr Marshall wave his hand at one point as if to encompass the land all around the farm, and she was sure he was discussing the future occupancy of his holdings. Perhaps even the two farmers whose land adjoined Brumbys’ Farm were laying claim to it right now.

Only Will, the carrier, seemed at ease. ‘He were a good friend to me,’ Will said to no one in particular, and he waved his fork towards Esther. ‘An’ he gave this young ’un a good start. That right, ain’t it, lass?’

Esther nodded. ‘Yes. I’ve learned a lot from Mr Brumby,’ she said and purposely she glanced towards the squire. But Mr Marshall was deep in conversation with the two farmers and appeared not to have heard.

Replete at last on ham and pork pie, the mourners began to settle themselves to hear the reading of Sam’s will. Mr Thompson, the lawyer, began delivering the legal jargon in a respectful monotone. ‘ “This is the last Will and Testament of me Samuel Brumby of Fleethaven Point in the County of Lincoln, Farmer. I give devise and bequeath all my real (if any) and personal estates and effects whatsoever and wheresoever of which I have power to dispose by Will unto Esther Everatt . . .” ’

At the mention of her name Esther gasped audibly and felt the blood drain from her face. For a moment all eyes in the room swivelled to look at her. But the lawyer did not look up or pause in his reading.

‘ “. . . absolutely and appoint her sole Executrix hereof. I revoke all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made and declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of October one thousand nine hundred and eleven.” ’ Here Mr Thompson looked up. ‘The will was signed by Mr Brumby and witnessed by myself and –’ his glance rested briefly on the carrier – Mr William Benson, whom you all know.’

Now Esther felt the lawyer’s gaze come to rest upon her, sitting straight-backed in a chair in one corner.

‘You, I presume, are Miss Everatt?’